DERRY City boss, Peter Hutton claims striker Nathan Boyle can help boost Finn Harps’ chances in their challenge for the 2015 Airtricity First Division title.

Hutton allowed the 20 year-old front man to join the Ballybofey outfit on loan until July next and he’s expected to lead the line for Ollie Horgan’s men in next Saturday’s pre-season friendly against his parent club at Brandywell Stadium.

Following the arrival of Anthony Elding from Ballinamallard, Hutton felt it was better for Boyle to go out on loan in order to get much needed first team experience.

And Hutton believes he can thrive in the First Division playing for a ‘strong’ Finn Harps side who have ambitions of securing promotion this year.

“I discussed it previously with Nathan and, at this stage of his career, he probably needs to be playing games on a more regular basis and for his own development. It’s probably a good time for him to go out on loan,” explained Hutton.

“Harps were keen to get him so I think he’ll go up there and do well. Harps, for all intents and purposes, are intending to challenge for the league this year.

“So it’ll be good for him to go up there, they have a good, strong side. They’re physical and I think that will suit Nathan well.

“And there’s a few other Derry lads up there too so I think he’ll mix in well, but for his own development I think he needs to go now and get games and get that experience and then we obviously have the option of bringing him back in June or July.”

Boyle graduated from Derry City’s U19 squad and made a total of 13 appearances under both Roddy Collins and Hutton for City’s first team squad last season.

And having impressed Harps boss, Ollie Horgan when representing Harps in pre-season matches last month, the chance to join the Co. Donegal club on loan then materialised.

Hutton claims he has plenty of options up front going into the 2015 campaign, despite the departure of Rory Patterson and now Boyle.

“Up front we have different options in terms of the physicality and presence that Anthony (Elding) gives us and Cillian (Morrison) and Ryan (Curran) give us something different.

“We also have Josh Daniels and Patrick McEleney so we have options and even Stephen Dooley can play up there. So we have options now which we didn’t have previously.”